FLIR PathFindIR II Driver Vision Vehicle Thermal Imager

See Clearly in Total Darkness

Unique in the industry, the PathFindIR II PD/AD Kit is an automotive-qualified system that is hermetically sealed and rated to IP69 with an integrated, automatic window heater. It uses 12 VDC input power, and standard NTSC or PAL video output for compatibility with most monitors or displays. If you do not have monitor, this kit includes one, as well as mounting hardware for both the camera and the ECU (electronics control unit).

PathFindIR II is intended for integration into vehicles as an aftermarket addition. A full-feature system, PN 334-0008-00 (military non-logo version SB 334-009-00) is also available for OEM applications such as maritime, military vehicles, security, and other uses that can be satisfied with basic video output and 36° field of view.

PathFindIR II is based on a 320x240 thermal camera system with a 38-micron pixel pitch and integrated 19mm lens. For applications that require wider or narrower fields of view, choices of AGC levels, color, digital zoom, higher resolutions, or smaller packing volume, we recommend you check out the FLIR Tau 2 thermal camera core.
 

Disclaimer:

The PathFindIR II is designed for commercial, over the road, automotive applications. While many other applications are possible, each user should carefully consider additional protection and installation methods that might be required for any given application. Mechanical, environmental and electrical requirements should be evaluated to assure that PathFindIR II can be utilized with satisfactory results. Particular attention needs to be given to the electrical system that will power the PathFindIR II as the camera is designed for the automotive 12 VDC power environment and conforms to ISO 7637-2 requirements for transients and disturbances on the typical automotive power system. If the PathFindIR II is installed in applications other than commercial automobiles, additional power conditioning or protection may be required.
 

See Father than Ever Before

Headlights usually only let you see about 450 feet straight ahead, but PathFindIR II sees heat not light so you can see everything in front of you up to four times farther down the road. Now you can see clearly, night and day, in good weather and bad, without being blinded by the glare of oncoming headlights. When you can see farther you have more time to react, you are more likely to avoid accidents. More time means more options, smoother driving in emergencies and more room to stop. With PathFindIR II, you can see pedestrians, cars, animals, and virtually any other hazard from farther away as they approach the road from either side.
 

Benefits of PathFindIR II:

• See in total darkness
• Automatic detection of Pedestrians and Animals
• See pedestrians and vehicles past the glare of oncoming headlights
• See hazards over four times farther away than with headlights
• See through dust, smoke, and fog
• More time to react
• Help avoid accidents and stay safer on the road

Applications

The PathFindIR II is used in a variety of transportation and driving vision enhancement applications. While the unit is designed for automotive and trucking OEMs, the PathFindIR II has also found its way into a variety of other OEM segments. Fire Rescue, recreational vehicles, maritime, and UGV's can all benefit from the compact, sealed package and fast integration design of the PathfindIR II.
 

Consumer Aftermarket

For passenger vehicles, driver vision thermal cameras improve your visibility in all conditions, giving you more time to react and increasing road safety. Installation is easy and requires no extensive modifications to your vehicle. Several luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes are already offering vehicle mounted IR cameras as optional extras on their vehicles – they are also using FLIR cameras. Several third party companies also offer interface kits so factory navigation systems will accept and control the PathFindIR II driving vision system.
 

Heavy Trucking (Vehicle OEM)

Truck OEM's, and large vehicle OEM's, benefit from the PathFindIR in many ways. Simply put, the increased detection (up to 4 times farther than that of traditional headlights) of potential hazards in the road and in the ditches provides significant increases in reaction time. OEM integration into new models is easy and affordable.
 

Recreational Vehicles (Class A, C, Super C)

Recreational Vehicles are a perfect fit for the PathFindIR. Because of their size, expense of repair and typical rural driving locations thermal imaging is a necessity to help guide and assist your clients to their destination safely.
 

Mining

Phoenix Products has incorporated the PathFindIR II into their IS1000 driving vision system for many mining applications. Shovel and scoop vehicles benefit from thermal imaging by being able to see through dust and debris, even at night, assuring that the product gets to the haul truck efficiently and without delay. Haul trucks benefit from thermal imaging by assuring safe driving to the dump location. Vibration dampening, mining certified enclosure, industrial grade monitor, and removeable high impact optic make the IS1000 a perfect fit for many mining applications.
 

Emergency Response

OEM's in the fire rescue community have incorporated the PathFindIR II into their ARFF vehicles for driving vision enhancement. Since thermal imaging can see through smoke, fire fighters are able to arrive safely at the scene and detect areas of concern much more quickly.
 

Night vision technologies: NIR vs FIR

Today there are two different technologies on the market for infrared night vision systems - Far Infrared or FIR (also called Passive Infrared), and Near Infrared or NIR (also called Active Infrared).

The NIR system beams infrared radiation into the area in front of the vehicle. The infrared beamers are often incorporated in the headlights. The infrared radiation is reflected by objects, the road and human beings then converted to an image which can be displayed on a screen. The PathfindIR II is an FIR system. FIR systems register differences in heat, or infrared radiation, emitted by objects and human beings. These systems do not need a separate light source from the vehicle.

Not only can FIR systems detect objects and people at a longer ranges, they also contain less components so are less susceptible to breakdowns. Another major advantage is that FIR is not sensitive to the headlights of oncoming traffic, street lights and powerfully reflecting surfaces such as traffic signs. Since NIR systems are using light waves as the basis for their image, especially light-intensive objects appear brightly on the screen. This also applies to the infrared beamers of a NIR system when it is detected by another NIR system - in this case the driver can be blinded.

FIR systems, like the PathfindIR II, produce a comprehensive image based on the differences in heat radiation of objects and people. Even when these temperature differences are sometimes minimal, an FIR system will detect them and transform them into a crisp image. FIR systems are not affected by light and there is no risk that the driver is blinded by oncoming headlights or other light sources.

An NIR system gives a complete image of the road, including road marks. Although at a first glance this may seem an advantage, it delays the detection of people and objects within the image. Although the image generated by an NIR system is initially processed more quickly by users, after a period of familiarization with the FIR system the opposite is true. Many drivers prefer the image generated by a FIR system since they can detect objects, animals and people a lot clearer and faster.
 

Case Study: BMW incorporates thermal imaging cameras into its cars

Night Driving: twice the risk vs. driving during the day

Accident statistics show that driving at night represents a significant potential danger. In Germany, some 50% of all fatal car accidents happen at night, yet an average of only 25% of all driving is done during the night. This means that the risk of driving at night is twice as high as during the day. A similar situation is to be found in the USA - only 28% of all driving is done at night, yet 55% of all fatal accidents occur at night.

The reasons are obvious: poor or significantly limited sight conditions on highways and country roads, obstacles or narrow bends which are recognized too late with low beam headlights, inappropriate judgement of speed or distance due to a lack of orientation for the eye, driving into the "black hole" of the headlights of oncoming traffic, possibly exacerbated by wet, reflecting road surfaces - just to mention a few examples.
 

Making night driving safer

For years, BMW has developed innovative technologies which provide relief for drivers at night and improve general road safety. Innovations include Xenon lights which provide significantly increased brightness and range, "Adaptive Headlights" which swivel to ensure improved illumination of the road ahead, and "High Beam Assistant" which turns the headlights automatically on and off. These are just a few innovations that can be installed in BMW models and help drivers during nighttime driving. Since 2002, BMW has also been working to incorporate thermal imaging into its vehicles.
Today, BMW calls this technology "BMW Night Vision". Despite the name, this isn't a true night vision system - at the core of the system is the same FLIR thermal imaging technology you'll find in the FLIR PathfindIR II infrared camera.
 

See more than with the naked eye

BMW says that this technology can detect people at a range of about 300m and a 2.3 x 2.3 m object at about 800m. This is much farther than can be seen with headlights. In parts of the USA and Northern Europe, the early detection of animals in the road is also critical – on dark back roads, hitting a large animal like a moose can result in heavy injuries and even death.
A vehicle mounted thermal camera can also detect more than just living objects. With long range thermal pictures of the road ahead, drivers can easily see obstacles, other cars, and curves in the road. BMW reports that this technology can give drivers about 5 additional seconds of reaction time at a speed of 100kph (60mph) when compared to high beam headlights.
 

Safety is increased, but not guaranteed

Car night vision and thermal imaging technologies like FLIR PathfindIR II do not provide total safety for the driver. Just like any other driver assist, this technology is intended only to aid the driver in staying safe on the road and cannot guarantee total safety from all accidents. The driver is still in full control of the vehicle at all times when using PathfindIR II and must take care to keep the vehicle under control in a safe manner. Reckless driving will always cause accidents and injuries, no matter how many safety features are implemented in a vehicle.